Qualcomm to supply Apple with 5G modems to 2026
Qualcomm Technologies has announced that it has entered into an agreement with Apple to supply Snapdragon® 5G Modem‑RF Systems for smartphone launches in 2024, 2025 and 2026. This agreement reinforces Qualcomm’s track record of sustained leadership across 5G technologies and products.
Recently, the Snapdragon® X75 5G Modem-RF System pushed the boundaries of performance by setting a new world record on sub-6 GHz spectrum, achieving a 7.5 Gbps downlink speed. The X75 is designed to drive the next phase of 5G evolution enabled by 3GPP Release 17 and Release 18 features.
Conducted through device testing using a 5G standalone (SA) network configuration, this speed was reached by leveraging a total of 300 MHz of spectrum, using 4x carrier aggregation (4xCA) with 4 TDD channels in one downlink connection, and 1024 quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM).
Aggregation of 4 TDD channels enables operators to combine their diverse spectrum assets to achieve higher data rates. In addition, 1024 QAM improves spectral efficiency by incorporating more data into each transmission, in comparison to 256 QAM, ultimately allowing for increased data throughput and improved spectrum efficiency.
These two Snapdragon X75 capabilities, and many other world firsts, empower better user experiences, faster download speeds, increased network capacity, and improved spectrum efficiency. They enable future-ready devices so more demanding data applications, such as video streaming and downloads, online gaming and more, can run smoother than ever, for more users.
“Snapdragon X75 5G Modem-RF System is the smartest wireless modem we have ever created and is designed for the future, with a 5G Advanced ready architecture, made to help operators define the next generation of networks around the world,” said Sunil Patil, vice president product management, Qualcomm Technologies, Inc.
The Snapdragon® X75 5G Modem-RF System further pushes the boundaries of 5G performance and spectrum flexibility with 10-carrier aggregation for mmWave, 5X carrier aggregation for sub-6 bands, and 5G uplink MIMO.
